Delaware International Speedway To Host ‘Diamond State 50’ Thursday, May 25; STSS Velocita South Region Event Offers American Racer Cup Challenge Points
Press Release By: BRETT DEYO / STSS MEDIA
Photos By: PETE MACDONALD / RACERSGUIDE.COM
DELMAR, DE – May 5, 2017- The Cathell family’s rejuvenated Delaware International Speedway is set to host the next round of the Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By VP.
A kickoff to the Memorial Day weekend, the ‘Diamond State 50’ takes place Thursday, May 25, featuring a 50-lap big-block/small-block Modified event offering $5,000 to the winner, $1,000 for 10th and $400 to take the green flag.
The ‘Diamond State 50’ serves as Race No. 3 of the STSS Velocita-USA South Region, offering $10,000 to the 2017 champion.
Additionally, valuable bonus points are available toward the ’17 American Racer Cup presented by Sunoco. The race winner receives 25 points toward the Insinger Performance South regional battle, down to five bonus points for those unable to qualify.
During the winter months, Delaware International promoter Charlie Cathell increased banking at his half-mile oval, put new clay on the surface and buried the tires that had marked the inside of the track, widening the racing groove significantly.
The changes have been well received by racers, building enthusiasm for the ‘Diamond State 50’ special.
The very first ‘Diamond State 50’ was contested at Delaware International in 1999, with legendary Gary Stuhler winning a unique Modified vs. Super Late Model format. That Modified/Super Late Model challenge format continued in 2000, with Kenny Brightbill the winner and again in 2001, when Jimmy Horton prevailed.
Modifieds and Super Late Models were split into separate feature events in 2002 with Horton (Modified) and David Hill (Super Late Model) prevailing. After the ’03 race fell to rain, Ricky Elliott (Modified) & Kenny Pettyjohn (Super Late Model) topped the ’04 edition. In 2005, New York’s Danny Johnson (Modified) and Hill (Super Late Model) were victors.
After a 10-year absence, Delaware International management and the STSS combined to bring back the ‘Diamond State 50’ in ’15, with New Jersey’s David Van Horn Jr. scoring the win in a 50-lap Modified event. A year ago, Canadian-born Stewart Friesen notched his first Delaware International triumph, fending off a determined drive from deep in the field for second by Duane Howard.
Who will visit Victory Lane on May 25?
Joining the STSS Modifieds on the ’17 ‘Diamond State 50’ are the Crate 602 Sportsman paying $1,000 to win for 20 laps and the Delaware Super Trucks.
After two STSS Velocita-USA South Region events have been run this season (Georgetown, Del. & Bridgeport, N.J.), Neshanic Station, N.J.’s Horton tops the standings over Van Horn.
Complete rules, prices, times and race information for the ‘Diamond State 50’ can be found at the following link: http://bdmotorsportsmedia.com/diamond-state-50-rules-prices-general-info/
In the event of rain, a postponement date will be announced.
To learn more about the Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP or BD Motorsports Media LLC, visit www.shorttracksuperseries.com or www.bdmotorsportsmedia.com, call 845.728.2781 during business hours, e-mail bdmotorsportsmedia@gmail.com, “like” Short Track Super Series on Facebook or follow @ShortTrackSS on Twitter.
Delaware International Speedway, located at 37854 Sussex Highway Delmar, Delaware 19940, is on the web at www.delawareracing.com and can be contacted by phone, Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., at 302.846.3911.
The 2017 Short Track Super Series is presented by American Racer/Lias Tire, VP Racing Fuel, Bob Hilbert Sportswear, Halmar International, Allstar Performance, ATL Racing Fuel Cells, Behrent’s Performance Warehouse, Bicknell Racing Products, Dirt Track Digest, Fast Axle, Fox Racing Shocks, Hig Fab, Henry’s Exhaust, HyperCo, Keizer Wheels, Kirkey Racing Fabrication, K&N, QA1, Racersguide.com, Race Pro Weekly, Racing Optics, Teo-Pro Car, Velocita, Weld & Wilwood.
Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP Velocita South Region Schedule
Saturday, March 11 – Georgetown Speedway/Georgetown Del. – Melvin L. Joseph Memorial – WINNER: JIMMY HORTON
Sunday, April 23 – Bridgeport Speedway/Bridgeport, N.J. (Five-Eighths-Mile) – South Jersey Shootout – WINNER: STEWART FRIESEN
Thursday, May 25 – Delaware International Speedway/Delmar, Del. – Diamond State 50 (Rain Date: TBA) – AMERICAN RACER CUP CHALLENGE EVENT
Tuesday, June 6 – Big Diamond Speedway/Minersville, Pa. – ‘Anthracite Assault’ – COMBO (Rain Date: TBA)
Sunday, July 30 – Susquehanna Speedway/Newberrytown, Pa. – York County Nationals $10,000 to win (Rain Date: TBA)
Tuesday, August 29 – Georgetown Speedway/Georgetown, Del. – Blast at the Beach 4 (Rain Date: August 30)
Saturday, September 30 – Bridgeport Speedway/Bridgeport, N.J. (Three-Eighths-Mile) – Dirty Jersey (Rain Date: October 1)
Friday-Saturday, October 27-28 – Georgetown Speedway/Georgetown, Del. – Mid-Atlantic Championship (Rain Date: Oct. 29) – CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS
